Surfing: Junior surfers out in California

Raglan's Morehu Roberts and Gisborne's Richard Christie bowed out of the world junior surfing championships at Huntington Beach, California, yesterday, ending New Zealand's involvement in the event.

Roberts finished seventh and Christie eighth in the under-18 boys.

Competing in the same ninth-round group, the two New Zealanders were involved in a tight tussle against Brazilian Thomas Hermas and American Torrey Maister.
With both surfers out, the New Zealand team will hope to hang on to sixth place - one better than last year - in the final team standings.

New Zealand has had a close battle all through the event with South Africa, France and Tahiti for placings fifth to eighth.